In Verbania, Italy, yesterday, Emma Morano became the oldest person in the world at age 115. Born on November 29, 1899, she is believed to be the last surviving person in the world born in the 1800s. She credits her longevity to eating three raw eggs a day, something she has done since her teens when her doctor recommended it as a way to combat anemia. Or, depending on the source, to a daily glass of homemade brandy. A different report said her current doctor of 23 years recommended two raw eggs and 100 grams of raw steak.
Somewhere I read that she, or maybe another centenarian, drank a brandy every day. Everybody wants to know the secret to living long; I know I do. But I’m pretty sure that it’s mainly due to having the right set of genes. Plus, of course, being physically active and avoidng bad stuff like substance abuse and smoking.
Seems like one woman last year claimed it was due to drinking a certain number of Dr. Peppers every day. And I’m sure someone once credited smoking cigars every day. Our idea of substance abuse or good diet may not match that in other countries, but I agree with you. It’s mostly genes and luck.
Genes, luck and dark chocolate… Okay, maybe not the dark chocolate, but I’d rather die younger from a wee bit too much chocolate, than die old as an inmate in a seniors care facility.
I hear that!
Moses was 120years old and his eye was not dim,but that was well over 3000 years ago’
Well, he might have had help from friends in high places.
Wait a minute — is that my younger sister?
LOL!
Amazing…thanks for sharing!
I wonder if I could live another 40 years if I adopted her diet. Nah, probably too late to start now.
Imagine what she has seen in her life! But three raw eggs a day—really!
And to think we’re cautioned against raw eggs …
I can go with the steak, but even free range chicken eggs in an unpolluted area makes me a bit queasy – but people’s bodies need different things and develop immunity to regional “bugs”. My dad grew up drinking a yearly dose of “spring tonic” which started out with rusty nails soaking in water for iron…
One of my aunts (101 yrs) swore by a glass of Mogan David wine each night (which drove my mom wild: “that old lady doesn’t shouldn’t have that!” But dad bought it for her every time she asked – after all she had made it that far.) She just laid down and decided to die after her best friend from childhood died. Just like that.
My oldest uncle (102+) was told when about 35yrs to take a short nap after lunch by his doc. He did. And started weight lifting at age 99. He also was a firm believer in reading a lot, stating informed about the world, socializing, and always learning something new.
Genetics are a lot of it, but also that whole generation grew up with healthier food sources, much more outdoor play and work, with physically harder lives maybe, but less stress perhaps. Optimistic outlook and attitude play a role.
Wonder how all of us will do?
Longevity sure seems to run in your family. Genetics, definitely. And yes, more exercise. Still, life expectancy, in general, keeps increasing. We still have healthy food sources — if we make that choice. And we can also choose to exercise more, but too often we don’t. So many factors — cheerful outlook, happy marriage, good support system, and much more. But genetics, that’s the one thing we can’t change, the hand we’re dealt to start with. I thought I was doing great until that little stumble last year. So now I don’t speculate too much about the future. And yet … I’m still here …
Genetics, choices (although the land and air is more polluted…but there was heavy coal use then), exercise, and attitude.
The mind is a powerful thing. Oldest uncle used to laugh and say “It’s a good day when every day you wake up.”
Docs say if you make it into late 70’s people seem go on better than expected as long as they don’t break a hip and keep eating.
Guess, my rollerblading days are fading away. Always wanted to try snowboarding.
Never was into those more strenuous sports. My sister-in-law broke a leg the first time she tried skiing, and my sister broke a wrist the first time she tried in-line skates. I tried skiing back in college and was horrible at it. I was always overly cautious. Now, every time I check in at the medical center, the first question is always “Have you fallen?” They’ve made me so paranoid I’m almost afraid to walk around the house!
Trailing behind the dog is about as much strenuous exercise as I get at the present – too hot here. And I handed the roller blades to a kid who didn’t have enough money but was longingly looking at them during a garage sale when we downsized. I loved skiing, but my one time lovely Italian made boots were so low tech by modern standards and basically fell apart in the closet anyway – so no garage sale for those. They now say gardening is oddly one of the best exercises for blood pressure and the heart, so I think watering new trees counts. Wonder if counting flowerbed weeds through the window counts HAHA
I’ve heard the same thing about gardening, and I have reason now to get involved, a bit, with new trees planted. But I suspect the advice includes more strenous gardening activities than just laying hoses on new trees.
very inspiring lady. i pray she may live more years.
I didn’t read of any particular medical problems, although she appears to have lost her teeth. I just hope she doesn’t pick up anything nasty from those raw eggs.
Wisdom is in those who have lived and had many experiences. This is a wise woman, willing to share her blessings. God bless her.
I can’t begin to imagine the stories she must have to share. And I wonder what she must think of today’s crazed world.
Someone should record her and write a book and then she can leave that for her Legacy.
I wouldn’t be surprised if someone has already done that. I hope so. Doing so now could prove to be too big a project for her.
in my country Sndhi ( now province in Pakistan) men live longer than women. Still in rural villages people live long due to fact that they don’t have access to adulterated items to eat and also are away from pollution of smoke of vehicles and factories of big cities.
I’d never really thought about the specific health benefits of living away from big cities. I am puzzled a bit by the men living longer than women. All the stats in this country indicate women, on average, live 7-10 years longer than men. But I don’t know why.